Up to $6,000 reward offered in Rocky Mountain bighorn ram poaching near Alpine

PINETOP, Arizona The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the publics help in finding the individual or individuals responsible for the illegal killing of a Rocky Mountain bighorn ram in the Black River area, west of Alpine, during the Fourth of July weekend. The wild sheep was illegally shot and killed in Game Management Unit 1 in eastern Arizona, adjacent to Forest Road 249. This mature ram was commonly seen, photographed and enjoyed by many visitors to the area, says Tyler Richins, wildlife manager in Unit 1. It was needlessly killed and left to waste with nothing removed from the carcass. This isnt the action of a hunter, says Richins. This is a criminal act of stealing wildlife assets and resources from the people of Arizona. This crime is further compounded by the fact that this ram was part of the Black River bighorn herd, which, although having a stable population, has not been increasing in number for the last several years. Removing this older age-class ram from the population may influence the departments recommendations for future bighorn sheep hunting permits in this area. Bighorn sheep permits are highly sought after by sportsmen, who are a primary funding source for wildlife conservation, notes Richins. The department received more than 300 applications for the single permit that was authorized in this area last spring. The departments Operation Game Thief Program is offering a reward of up to $4,000 for information leading to the arrest of the subject or subjects who committed this crime. The Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society and Arizona Bowhunters Association are each offering an additional reward of up to $1,000 for a criminal conviction in this case. To report information on this incident, or any wildlife law violation, call the departments Operation Game Thief hotline toll-free at (800) 352-0700, or report online at www.azgfd.gov/thief. Caller identities may remain confidential upon request.